France name unchanged side to face Ireland

France have named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

Head coach Fabien Galthie has retained faith in the side who edged Italy in Rome last weekend.

The coach has drafted in back row Francois Cros and scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud as replacements for Thomas Lavault and Nolan Le Garrec, respectively.

The Grand Slam champions were made to fight for their 29-24 bonus point win with the hosts blowing a late chance to cause a massive upset.

Antoine Dupont captains the side from scrum-half with Toulouse team-mate Romain Ntamack at 10.

Ireland, who beat Wales on the opening day, are due to name their starting team at midday.

France: Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Ethan Dumortier; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio; Thibaud Flament, Paul Willemse; Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: Gaetan Barlot, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Romain Taofifenua, Francois Cros, Sekou Macalou, Baptiste Couilloud, Matthieu Jalibert.

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Watch live coverage of Ireland v France (Saturday 2.15pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

Watch live coverage of England v Italy (Sunday, 3pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.